DIAA Board of Directors Updates from November Meeting
November 24, 2021
(Dover, DE) November 24, 2021 – The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Board of Directors convened last week for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Topics of discussion included the following:
Division of Public Health (DPH) updates: Due to the increase in adult and pediatric COVID-19 cases, the mask requirement will remain in place through February 2022. DPH is hopeful that there will be an increase in the vaccination rate among the 5-11 and 12-17 year old populations that will assist in lowering daily COVID-19 cases in Delaware. In an effort to ensure that students stay in school, the mask requirement and other protections will be kept in place. Some schools in Delaware have been operationally closed due to COVID-19 cases that originated close contact exposures. DPH announced that a new program, Test To Stay (TTS) will launch in December. The program limits absenteeism by allowing students who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 while in school, to remain in school as they continue to test negative daily. TTS aims to keep students in school primarily for in-person learning, as well as athletic and extracurricular activities. Opportunities to expand testing so that students may also remain in weekend athletic and extracurricular activities is being discussed. Schools and districts can enroll and learn more about the program by visiting www.dhsscovidschooltest.com
DIAA winter sport championship eligibility: The board requested that the boys and girls basketball committees reconvene to develop an alternative tournament proposal that will be considered at the December meeting, in addition to the open tournament format that was presented. The dual-team wrestling championship will return for the 2021-2022 season after it was not able to be conducted due to COVID-19 last season. The board approved the indoor track championship to be conducted as an outdoor meet again if the championship cannot be conducted indoors due to COVID-19 protocols. The indoor track championship will accept both indoor and outdoor performances for meet entries. The championship meet entry limits for field events will be increased from 12 to 16. Both the track and field events will be filled with descending entries, with the exception of high jump which will have a minimum standard of 6’6 for girls and 8’6 for boys to qualify.
Delaware Military Academy punt returner Cody House (21) fumbles the ball as Scott Lucarelli (82) makes contact during a game between DMA and Archmere Academy. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
DIAA Football Championships: The championship games for Unified Flag Football, Class 1A, 2A, and 3A will be held on Saturday, December 11 at the University of Delaware. Ticket prices for admission may be increased as the general admission ticket will allow fans to stay in the venue and watch all 4 championship games. Information regarding game times and ticket prices will be released later this week.
Regulation 1006: Proposed amendments will be revisited at the next December Board Meeting. The DIAA waiver deadline was approved by the board to be extended from 21 to 30 days. Effective December 15, member schools will need to submit a completed waiver request 30 days at minimum before the next scheduled board meeting.
Criteria for DIAA Standing Committees: The importance of representation from all constituent groups on the committee was reiterated. The proposed 1006 regulation would add representation of a committee member from each conference, a non-conference school, state rules interpreter and coaches association. Any remaining committee member vacancies can be filled by any of the aforementioned groups including an athletic director, official, and public member. Committee term limits will be reviewed by the Rules and Regulations Committee at their next meeting. Committee vacancies and more information on how to apply to join a DIAA committee can be found by visiting https://education.delaware.gov/diaa/governance/committees
Regulation 1009: The Public Integrity Commission (PIC) reviewed a draft of proposed regulation changes concerning out of season interscholastic athletic activities. PIC feedback will be shared with the DIAA Board for review and action and will be discussed more at the December board meeting.
DIAA Executive Director Donna Polk presents Padua Academy with metals and trophy after at the DIAA 2021 Cross Country State Championships. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
Fall sport championships update: The DIAA Cross Country Championship was held on Saturday, November 13 at Brandywine Creek State Park. The winter sports high school season started on November 8th and the first date of competition is December 1st. Dover High School hosted the DIAA field hockey and boys soccer championships on Saturday. In a new championship format, the DIAA Football tournament fields in Class 1A, 2A, and 3A and Unified Flag Football were recently announced.
The next DIAA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for December 9th.